Addis Ababa, 12 February 2016 (SPS) Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) represented by its Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Lamine Baali, has taken part in the meeting called for by the African peace and Security Council on "natural resources and conflicts in Africa", along with many ambassadors accredited in Addis Ababa, international and non-governmental organizations and United Nations bodies.
In his intervention before the participants, the Ambassador referred to the illegal exploitation of Sahrawi natural resources by Morocco, pointing out that Morocco has made it a major means to legitimize the occupation of the territory, stressing that it has no right to exploit or dispose of the natural resources of Western Sahara as the people of the territory is still waiting to exercise their right to self-determination.
"The United Nations, the African Union and the international community ought to shoulder their responsibilities and exert pressure on Morocco to respect the principles of the United Nations and international law on self-determination and exploitation of natural resources," he added.
During the meeting, the Sahrawi Republic supported the proposal of involvement of the African Peace and Security Council in the issue of natural resources in the framework of early warning and conflict prevention, as well as the management crises and establishment of peace and support of the policies of peace programs. (SPS)
062/090/TRA